NightShift breaks up after almost 9 years

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 12 Jul 2002 12:32 pm

Well friends, NightShift has decided to call it quits. It is a real heartbreaker for all of us with NightShift. The camaraderie and friendship among band members must be one of the best of any musical performing group in history. However, there is not currently a lucrative marketplace for our endeavors. We only have one "A" room left on the calendar. Almost all rooms like that in north Texas have a 5 night format now which we cannot support. As a result we have been padding the calendar with "dives" just to work. We will play this weekend and the next, and the dates afterwards will be negotiated. We are attempting to plan a farewell show in the near future.

Attendance of live country music is at an all time low from my perception. I'm sure plenty others are experiencing the same problem.

I'll probably gig around for a while, and I still have some studio calls to work. It is just not the same as showing up for a cool gig with 4 brothers having so much fun.

Thanks to all that have supported us.

------------------
Terry Downs
http://nightshift.net
terry@nightshift.net

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 12 Jul 2002 12:58 pm

Sorry to hear that, Terry.

I have a question about the "5 night format" you mentioned. Do you mean they have live music 5 nights a week?? No clubs around here do that anymore.

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 12 Jul 2002 1:08 pm

Yes they are generally Tuesday through Saturday gigs. Two examples of that are the Top Rail and Southern Junction. Several of the 5 nighters have house bands too. The Crystal Chandelier is the only one we have left of that caliber that is a 2 nighter.

Bob Hayes · Post by **Bob Hayes** » 12 Jul 2002 7:54 pm

Here in East Tennessee..there are NO clubs that feature Live Counrty Music that I know of.Most places have changes to a DJ mixed/music format..Oh there are a few VFW's/Moose..etc..but for the most part Live Country Music has been relegated to the "Family DANCE hall type format...Pay....ha..whatever the door brings in...Most is Traditional Country,very old Traditional. and Blur grass...Of course with the "Real Blue Grass" there are now electic instrument..and Pedal Steel realy dosn't fit in..I play in a few groups just to play..and realy don't worry about money..ussually just enough for gas and a coke..or so..and it is only one or two night's a week,..I was used to playing 4.5.6 nights before coming to Tn..but times have changed. Now I'm attending More steel guitar shows/jams. Attendence at these functions are also low. DJ and Kareoke has also taken over.In some cases..Bands at dance funtions( espesially line dance functions have been relegated to CD's....We may all end up "Woodsheding"
Grouchyvet

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 13 Jul 2002 5:46 am

Bob, You hit the nail on the head, big time. It's the same wasy here , Nashville is supposed to be the MUSIC CAPITOL. Except for the OPry and a couple other clubs that play country, everyone else doesn't know what true country music is. They hire you to play country music, when you get started playing, they hollow rock and roll. Then when you play rock, nobody gets on the dance, but just start playinga Jones hit and the floor is packed. So this tells me that they don't know what they really want to hear. SO HOW CAN A COUNTRY STEEL PLAYER SURVIVE????????

Douglas Hudson · Post by **Douglas Hudson** » 13 Jul 2002 8:30 am

Terry I am saddened by your post. I think it is terrible for bands to break up due to lack of jobs. My heart goes out with you and your friends in your group. I listened to your music and you have a wonderful group.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 14 Jul 2002 7:50 am

Terry:
Could we now start using the name "Nightshift" for our band here in Nashville. NR

My Website:
http://personal.bellsouth.net/bna/a/m/am1070/page12.html

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 14 Jul 2002 10:14 am

Nick,
There are several bands using this name including the band I work with called
"The Nightshift". This has caused confusion only once that I am aware of in the last ten years of our bands existence. Generally speaking, Terry's band played the Dallas/Nacadoches area and we played the Houston/Bryan-CS area. We play different venues as well. Terry's band has played about four or five different clubs on a rotating basis with an occasional private gig. We are much more into street dances, go-texan events, trail rides, county fairs, corporate parties,private parties and weddings. We do play an occasional dance hall..ie Silver Wings, Harmonie Hall, Shadow Canyon, (We are at Silver Wings Ballroom/Brenham next Saturday nite) but generally don't play clubs. Our experience has been that we can make far more money doing these type of jobs

There are at least four bands worldwide with this name registered (including us).

Sorry to hear that you guys are breaking up Terry. It's almost as bad as a divorce after that long

Steve Stallings
(The other Nightshift

)

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 14 Jul 2002 1:50 pm

Douglas, thanks for the kind words.

Nick, our NightShift name has been overcome by events so I'll defer judgement that to Steve.

Steve, how are you doing? I hope things are going well for ya. I'm going to St. Louis, are you?

Corky Owens · Post by **Corky Owens** » 15 Jul 2002 7:22 am

Hey, Terry. I just got back home from PA and read your e-mail. It saddens me to know that such a good group is breaking up. And such a fine musician as yourself won't be out there playing on a regular basis. Although, the way you play steel and guitar, anybody would be lucky to get you in there band. Tell the rest of the guy's hey and how sorry I am. Call me soon and take care. Corky

------------------

Jason Stillwell · Post by **Jason Stillwell** » 15 Jul 2002 8:54 am

Hi, Terry. I'm sorry as well to hear about the breakup of NightShift ("Night Life" as I so mistakenly called it once at East Fork.) You and Jason and the rest of the guys were quite a force. Some band around now will be missing out on a super-picker if they don't snag you up!

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 15 Jul 2002 3:00 pm

You guys are too kind. Thank you. Corky it was great to see you at the Gene Watson show. We need to get together sometime.

Jason, I guess I had forgot about you being on the forum so I was pleasantly surpised to see your reply. How are things in your picking world? Nice to hear from you.

Anyway, the problem is that whatever band that would "snag" me, as Jason said, has the same market limitations as our band had.

Regards,
Terry

Corky Owens · Post by **Corky Owens** » 15 Jul 2002 6:52 pm

Hey, Terry. If I come over, will you teach me some of those licks you played in Lancaster? Corky

------------------